Sweet Like Candy

Master Thesis Progress

On 29 April 2014, we had a master thesis progress presentation. The meeting is held on LUT Sauna Beach House near the Lake Saimaa. The meeting was attended by Prof. Jari Porras from Lappenranta University of Technology (LUT), Prof. Karl Anderson from Lulea University of Technology (LTU), and of course, all of PERCCOM students.

Basically in this meeting, we were given a chance to present some of the works that we have been done for our master thesis. The majority of us, present about the literature review about the journals that are used for our references. While, others also present more advanced works, like a company survey or project timeline. Each student has roughly about 30 minutes for presentation and question. After each presentation, Prof. Jari and Prof. Karl will give some questions or comments. The first student who prThe student who finished their presentation point another student who will be in the next turn.

Grilled Salmon, anyone?

In the same day after Master Thesis presentation, we had a barbecue party at evening in the Sauna Beach House. Mrs Susanna helped us to prepare the food and drinks, while Mr. Jari prepared the grill. We had two grill, one is gas and another is charcoal. Because some of us have a diet preference like Vegan or Vegetarian, the grill is separated. One for grilling the fish and vegetable for the vegan and vegetarian, and the other grill is used for grilling the meat for the rest of us.

After the barbecue, the event was continued with sauna together. There were two sauna rooms available, one for girls and one for boys. As the Finnish tradition, after sweating inside hot sauna room, we should jump into the lake as the cold water from the lake will refresh the skin. By the time we finish sauna, the sun was almost set and it created a beautiful view on the horizon. So before going home, we did not waste our chance and took one group photo on the beach.

So much food on the table

The meat section

The guys are enjoying their time

Mrs. Susanna helps us in the kitchen

The charcoal grill

The guys are grilling the meat

Take a group photo before going home

No-Rooz, The Iranian New Year

On 19 April 2014, the Iranian Student Association of Lappeenranta University of Technology organized the Iranian New Year party. The event is held to celebrate the Iranian New Years which called No-Rooz. Unlike the regular new year which we celebrated in 1 January every year, in Iranian culture the No-Rooz marks the beginning of the Spring season. So the date is changed every year depending on the astronomy. No-Rooz ritual and tradition has been celebrated since 3000 years ago by the Iranian people.

The No-Rooz rituals include clean the house, buy new clothes, and set the Haft Seen. Haft Seen is seven specific items that starts with letter S and symbolize the holy sacred things that important in life such as, health, beauty, growth, etc. These seven are: Seeb (apple), Sabze (green grass), Serke (vinager), Samanoo (a meal made out of wheat), Senjed (a special kind of berry), Sekke (coin), and Seer (garlic). Sometimes instead of Serke they put Somagh (sumak, an Iranian spice).

In New Year, people will go outside their house to hug and kiss each other and wish a happy new year. Then they give presents, usually older ones to the younger ones. And then, they also visit older members of the family, relatives and friends.

The important event of the New Year is the 13th day of the new year, which is called "Sizdah Bedar". People spent this day mostly outdoors. They go to the parks or local plains to have a festive picnic. The Sizdah Bedar is the most popular day of the holidays among children because this is the time when they get to play a lot. According to Iranians culture,the 13th day is a bad omen and therefore they believe that by going into the fields and parks they will avoid misfortunes. It is also believed that unmarried girls can wish for a charming husband by going into the fields and tying a knot between green shoots, symbolizing a marital bond.